UK Government announces £84 million boost for green aviation technology

UK Government announces multi-million-pound boost for 3 pioneering research and development programmes in the UK’s aviation sector.

With 3 pioneering research and development projects announced by Business Minister Paul Scully, he says “This multi-million-pound boost will help to secure up to 4,750 jobs in these projects spanning the UK, and could pave the way to technological advances that will allow the industry to build back better and greener following the COVID-19 pandemic – and help tackle climate change.”

Aviation plays a crucial role in achieving the government’s net zero commitment. Simon Edmonds, Innovate UK’s Deputy Executive Chair, says “The need to change how we fly has never been more pressing, moving towards a zero-carbon powered aircraft is one way we can cut greenhouse gas emissions.”

The rapid advances seen within aerospace technology means there is a potential for zero-emission air travel by 2023. Whilst enabling passengers to travel in a ‘greener fashion’, it also has the potential to create ‘taxi-like aircrafts’ for much shorter journeys, reducing road congestion and allowing quicker travel.

Each of the 3 projects will use British innovation and expertise in green technology to power zero-emissions flights, using alternative energy sources of hydrogen or electricity to reduce the industry’s reliance on polluting fossil fuels.

The winning aerospace projects, based in Bristol, Bedford and Cranfield are receiving a combined total investment of £84.6 million, receiving half from the government through the ATI programme, and the second half being matched by industry.

These grants form part of the wider £3.9 billion government-industry investment through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, investing in aerospace research and development projects from 2013 to 2026.

These are the three projects announced to receive funding:

• InCEPTion, led by Blue Bear Systems Research, is to receive £2.8 million from the government grant, to develop a fully-electrified, zero-emissions propulsion system for aircraft, suitable for smaller aircrafts travelling shorter distances.
• ZeroAvia’s HyFlyer II will receive £12.3 million from the government grant, in order to scale up its zero-emission engines to demonstrate on a 19-seater aircraft. With significant technological advances, it is set to enable passengers to fly on zero-emission aircrafts by 2023.
• GKN Aerospace-led project H2GEAR is to receive £27.2 million from the government grant, to develop an innovative hydrogen propulsion system for regional air travel, in which water is the only by-product of the flight.

The UK government has also established the Jet Zero Council, a partnership between industry and government, bringing together ministers and industry stakeholders to drive the delivery of new technologies and innovative ways of cutting aviation emissions.

---

Interested in learning how we can make the hydrogen hype a reality? Join us at the Hydrogen Transition Summit on the 23 & 25 February to hear from our expert speakers by registering for free today.